Group Facilitator / Counsellor (Male Perpetrators of Domestic Violence)

Job No: 58957

Location: Clear Island Waters, Gold Coast, QLD

Closing Date: 4 Aug 2014 AEST

About the Organisation

For more than 50 years, Centacare Brisbane has been the social services arm of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, working in partnership with various levels of government and the community. With a workforce of more than 3000 people (including volunteers) Centacare responds to local needs from over 200 small service sites throughout southeast Queensland, touching the lives of more than 100,000 people each year.

Government funding makes it possible for Centacare to reach those requiring relationship and family counselling, relationship mediation, court information and support to women experiencing domestic violence, men's behaviour, change, employment disability, child care and community support. 

About the Opportunity

Centacare has a diverse and rewarding opportunity for a Group Facilitator / Counsellor to join their Male Perpetrators of Domestic Violence Behaviour Change Program on the Gold Coast.

Reporting locally to the Program Coordinator, your main responsibility will be to provide group facilitation and counselling services to male perpetrators of domestic violence within the framework of Centacare Catholic Family and Community Services' mission, values and vision.

Please note: this is an identified role and the successful candidate must identify as a male in accordance with the Professional Practice Standards of Working with Men who perpetrate domestic and family violence.

More specifically, some of your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the Coordinator to maintain practice Standards of Working with Men in groups;
• Conducting intake and risk assessment of male perpetrators of domestic/family violence;
• Assisting to maintain the focus of group sessions on men stopping violent behaviours in family relationships;
• Assisting men to identify triggers by breaking down patterns of violent actions;
• You will be required to co-facilitate group programs with the female co-facilitator;
• Assessing and supporting the safety of the partner's and their children;
• Modelling non-violent communication and power-sharing between male and female facilitators; and
• Supporting the Coordinator to develop, maintain and continuously improve policies, procedures and practices through an action learning methodology.

To be considered, you'll require qualifications in Social Work, Counselling or similar and be currently registered (or be eligible to register) with the relevant professional association for your discipline. Importantly, you'll also have robust practice experience in counselling and group facilitation with male perpetrators of domestic violence and will be able to demonstrate your understanding of gender, culture and the socio-political context of domestic and family violence.  A well developed and applied understanding of the Domestic & Family Violence Act and the Child Protection Act will also be essential to your success.  

You'll need a strong understanding of the cycle of violence and will have broad experience developing and delivering community education / training programs for a diverse range of stakeholders and age groups who have experienced family or domestic violence.  A key aspect of this role will find you assessing male perpetrators of domestic violence so it is essential that you have extensive experience in client risk assessment.  

Centacare are looking for an articulate and passionate counsellor with highly effective verbal and written communication skills which will ensure your ability to write concise high quality case notes, undertake data collection and input into reports for the applicable funding bodies.  You'll also need intermediate computer literacy including the ability to collect and enter data into the electronic case management system.  

A current driver's licence and a QLD Working with Children Blue Card (or eligibility to obtain) is an essential requirement of this position. You must also be willing to obtain a Police Check prior to commencing employment.

It is estimated that you will be conducting counselling or group sessions at least 1 evening a week.  

Working with a supportive and respectful not-for-profit organisation, you'll enjoy a collaborative and creative team environment. With clear frameworks and processes in place, you'll be able to step into this role and work within a clear structure and become "part of the story" as well as enjoy utilising your own judgement and independence to get the best results for the community.

In return for your hard work, you will enjoy attractive remuneration of level 5.1 $55,598 - level 6.3 $62,894 plus salary packaging options to increase your take-home pay!

In addition, Centacare employees enjoy fantastic working conditions and a range of benefits, including:

• Ongoing support; 
• Opportunities for career and personal development;
• Access to role specific training;
• Salary packaging options; 
• Free employee assistance program for you and your family.

Take advantage of this opportunity to bring your counselling and group facilitation skills to a growing not-for-profit organisation servicing QLD! Apply Now!

Please Note: Applications close Wednesday, 31st July.